Cannondale

Synapse Carbon 105 5

The manufacturer prefers that we do not ship this item. It can, however, be purchased online and picked up at our retail location. We will gladly help a local buyer ship this item after purchase. Please call 972-423-4130 for more information.

Cannondale Synapse Carbon 105 5

Cannondale's Synapse Carbon 105 simply begs for high-mileage fun. Synapse Endurance Race Geometry appeals to Gran Fondo specialists, high-mileage junkies, and riders who love the thought of a long, winding road. Ballistec carbon transfers power smoothly and damps road vibration. Once you get a taste of Shimano's 22-speed 105 drivetrain with an FSA Gossamer Pro crankset transferring all your power to the road smoothly and easily, you'll be searching out hills to climb. Shimano's RS11 wheels are the perfect pairing for this endurance machine, with climb-boosting low weight, and sprint-enhancing acceleration. Matched with high-quality Schwalbe tires, you're primed to pin every corner on your favorite road loop. Plus, Shimano's 105 brakes have power to spare. Throw in a sleek, supportive Prologo saddle and a batch of Cannondale's own prime components and you've got a hard bike to beat. With fit and performance like this, don't be surprised if you find yourself taking the long road home on your next ride.

This is my first purchase of a high-performance bike, so I have no basis for comparison. That said, I am truly thrilled with my Cannondale Synapse C 105! I have had the bike for less than a week, and am completely thrilled with the level of performance I am already experiencing! The bike is nimble and quick, and surprisingly comfortable. The more I am in the saddle, the more comfortable I feel!
The bike is stock, but I did change out the aluminum seat post for Cannondale's C2 carbon post. This is an inexpensive upgrade, with significant impact on the way the bike feels on real roads. Whatever road chatter that would get past the carbon micro suspension is now absorbed by the carbon post. My butt and back are now buffered from road vibrations/chatter, making the ride that much more enjoyable. I am sure this will have the greatest impact on longer rides. I highly recommend this minor upgrade.
Like all new riders, I am still getting used to the shoes and pedals. Even though I can't yet jump off the starts (pending my shoeing skills improving), I can say that this bike is EXPLOSIVE when pushed hard. Even with my limited experience, I crossed north of 30 mph this morning - on a slight uphill grade! I don't know if that is fast for experienced riders, but this is almost 10 mph faster than my fastest time on my hybrid. The Cannondale is so light and responsive, but not so light that it gets away from you. It's like a point-and-shoot bike - it goes where you want it to, and stays true to your lines.
I looked at more expensive bikes and at other Cannondale's but selected this bike as it was more of an endurance ride. Even with only 60 miles in, I can tell I made the right choice for me.
I recommend anyone new to performance bikes to take careful stock of what you want your new bike to do, then get into your local bike store for some guidance and test rides. For me, I was not looking to race or compete. I just wanted a quick bike that would be comfortable for longer rides.
The staff at my local store (shouts out to Bruce, Eddie and Court!) were all experienced and knowledgeable. They were able to guide me to the bikes that best suited my goals. For example, I came in looking for the fastest bike for the money. But they helped me understand that speed alone would not necessarily give me a satisfying experience, particularly on longer rides. They asked lots of questions, put me on a number of different rides and let me experience the differences for myself. Obviously these short test rides were not long enough to experience any endurance characteristics, but I quickly came to trust their knowledge and experience, and they were able to guide me in the right direction. Now that I have been riding my new bike, I can't say enough about the value of the guidance and help these guys provided! I now understand why this bike is designed for the type of riding I am looking for, and why some of the other bikes - as great as they are - would not necessarily be as good for me.
I am thrilled with my new bike, and looking forward to each new ride! This bike is quick and responsive, and really comfortable for longer and more frequent rides. I would highly recommend this bike to anyone looking for a high performance endurance ride.